I know, I know, you are thinking "dumb guide to be writing" But if you are a buyer who goes into a feeding frenzy once you see that picture of your dream item, you know what I mean. Or if you are a seller sitting there listing item after item and bored to death, just clicking away to be done with the whole project, you understand too.

For the buyer: OK! there it is! the one thing you have been searching for your entire life, in living color on ebay!!! Oh JOY!!! you sit tapping your fingers as the page loads, almost drooling. And there it is. Can't wait to get that bid in??? That's the time to STOP, take a breath, and start reading!

First and foremost, read the shipping instructions and see if there is a shipping calculator on the listing. If not, and it says...not specified... it is probably a good idea to contact the buyer FIRST, before bidding. Don't get a surprise at end of auction, when you find although the item was inexpensive, the handling fee more than makes up for it. Not the sellers cheat you, it's just how the thing is done.

Next, read the full description. There may easily be a detail in there that makes the item of no use to you, or the opposite, something you absolutely have to have no matter what the cost.

Last, read the payment instructions. This is important, because not all sellers accept all payment methods. If you don't recognize the method offered, research it. It may or may not cost you a tiny bit more than you think.

For the seller: Oh man, this is taking forever...pictures loading...la la la la! Go get a snack come back list another one....have a beer come back and list another one. I know I get tired of listing dozens of similar items at one time.

First and foremost: PROOFREAD! I know, you are thinking well of course. But I am here to say..after thirty or forty listings, they get blurred and invisible. Spelling errors can be caught by ebay spellcheck, but you also have to see what the heck you wrote. If you are like me, you start to get very verbose (talk too much) when enthusiasm for your items take over. Information is good, but too much can bore the buyer on to the next item.

Next: Make sure you have the proper shipping options and information available. Things like package size and multiple shipping rates make the purchase much easier for a buyer and are easily available when you are doing the listing. Also, help is there if you need it. Also don't forget a visitor counter. There is a real rush to seeing your item has been viewed by 110 potential buyers.

Lastly, remember that a low starting bid doesn't mean you won't get the value for your item, it only encourages buyers to start the ball rolling. Have a little faith in your item and price it low enough to attract attention if it is an auction sale.

Well, that about sums up my ebay advice.. not that I am the last word, just a few things I have come up against. One last word of advice. Don't be afraid to bid before the last two minutes. Even if you bid a thousand dollars, nobody knows and it keeps the seller from altering the listing. And you only end up paying the highest bid at end of auction,  not what you bid as your personal maximum. Now I will stop and wish you HAPPY EBAYING!!!